RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Jakarta Provincial Government and the Embassy of Hungary officially opened The Hungarian-Indonesian Exhibition "Threads of Wax: A Cultural Confluence of Indonesian and Hungarian Heritage" at the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics in Jakarta's historic Kota Tua district on Monday June 29, 2026. The exhibition highlights how traditional Indonesian batik and Hungarian folk art can come together to foster cultural diplomacy between the two nations.

Jakarta Governor, Pramono Anung, said the exhibition reflects a successful collaboration between the Jakarta Provincial Government and the Embassy of Hungary in promoting Indonesia's cultural heritage through an international artistic partnership. He noted that the collection combines batik traditions from regions such as Yogyakarta, Solo, Lasem, and Pekalongan with the creativity of Hungarian designers.

"First of all, I would like to thank the Embassy of Hungary for its collaboration with the Jakarta Provincial Government in organizing this batik exhibition," Pramono said. "I was genuinely surprised to see batik created by Hungarian designers featuring vibrant colors while still reflecting the distinctive character of Indonesian batik, especially those of Lasem and Yogyakarta," he said.

The exhibition features batik artworks inspired by traditional Hungarian folk embroidery motifs while preserving Indonesia's centuries-old batik-making techniques. The collaboration introduces fresh artistic interpretations without losing the authenticity and identity of Indonesian batik.

Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia Lilla Karsay described the exhibition as more than an artistic showcase, saying it serves as a platform for cultural exchange and stronger people-to-people connections. She emphasized that the project demonstrates how two nations can create something meaningful by combining their artistic traditions.

"They also have the opportunity to learn about the symbols and meanings of Indonesian batik," Karsay said. "Through this initiative, we are trying to strengthen people-to-people relations. Hungary already offers scholarships, and we are also working to further develop our cultural cooperation," she added.

One of the artists involved in the project, Jesus Cedeño, said batik represents a universal artistic language capable of connecting cultures across borders. According to him, the collaboration celebrates diversity while demonstrating how craftsmanship can become a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy.

"Two different nations, two different cultures come together through culture and diplomacy," Cedeño said. "Batik is one of the most beautiful languages that translates culture into art and craftsmanship. The exhibition is open to the public for one month, and we warmly invite everyone to visit," he concluded.